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He may be known as a serious actor, but Edu Manzano already has this natural funny side even before he joined showbiz. In fact, because of this personality, he had to attend his class almost naked while he was still a student at the De La Salle University in Manila.

In an afternoon chat with select entertainment media recently, the actor shared one of his core memories during college.

“One time, si Joey Reyes, teacher ko sa literature and I was playing for La Salle. Every lunch time, may practice kami at siya ang unang subject pagkatapos. Sa gym kami nag-eensayo. So pag ring ng bell, takbo sa shower, at pasok. So, I was always late, five minutes, seven minutes.

"Itong si Joey, kaibigan ko na s'ya, sabi niya, 'You know you are setting a very bad example,' in the class. 'If you are late again one more time, just one more, I'm dropping you.' E, three units yun. Sabi ko, 'Joey, I'm an athlete. I'm on a scholarship. If I get below the minimum required units, they'll take away my scholarship.' Sabi n'ya, 'Sorry, you just have to make an adjustment. My class will not adjust to you.'

“Okay, so the next day, I talked to the coach. I told him, 'Coach, may problema kay Joey Reyes. May I be allowed to leave five minutes early? Para makaligo lang. 'Sure, Edu, go ahead.'

"'Tapos, nagsa-shower ako biglang nag-ring ang bell. Sabi ko, 'Bakit ang aga?!' Ang aga, basang-basa pa ako. So I thought, magpapatawa na lang ako. Hindi na ako nagbihis. Nagtuwalya na lang ako. Umakyat ako, all the way to the hallways, basang-basa ang buhok ko at naka-tsinelas. Nakatapis lang. Then I walked into the class. Nagsigawan lahat!

"Sabi ni Joey, 'You think you're funny? Sabi ko, 'Joey, I'm sorry! I already told the coach. But when I was there, midway nagsha-shower, biglang [nag-ring ang bell]. Ayokong ma-late dito kasi magagalit ka, e.'

“Then, he said, 'Ah ganon, ha. Okay, doon ka umupo.' Sabi ko, 'Bakit doon, dito ang seat ko.' 'No, you sit there, tabi ng air-con.'

“Pinatabi ako sa aircon, basang-basa ako. Ayun, sinipon tuloy ako ng tatlong araw. Nakatapis lang talaga ako nun the whole hour at tahimik lang. Pero nanginginig ako sa lamig.”

Up to this day, according to Edu, he and director Joey Reyes would still laugh about this incident.

Green blood

This is just one of the fun memories that the actor loves telling people about his life as a La Sallian.

Edu, who attended La Salle from grade school to college, turned nostalgic when he was recognized at the Distinguished Lasallian Achievement Awardees at the 8th One La Salle Night of Excellence.

Aside from being a member of Green Archers basketball and judo teams, the actor continued extending help to his alma mater by doing “philanthropic activities” that supported the school's social action programs such as the DLS Dasmarinas Bahay Pag-Asa, LSGH Adult Night High School, DLSU One La Salle Scholarship Fund, LSGHAA Godfather Program, LSGH Sports Programs, LSGH Safe Shelter 1 and 2, La Salle's Kada Uno Project, and the Adrian Manzano Cancer Wing of the Philippine Children's Medical Center, which was named after his father.

In a speech, Edu said, “Twenty-five years ago, I stood on the same stage of the alumni association and I received an award where my father was inducted into the sports hall of fame.

“You honored my family and you're doing it once more and I can't thank you enough but I would like to take the moment and thank my… probably the best high school batch that La Salle has ever produced and that's Batch 1973…

“My father played for La Salle, I played for La Salle, my son played for La Salle. We come from a long line of La Sallians. I am one proud La Sallian and because of that, I will continue to support any and all of the programs in every way I can.”

MEANWHILE, HERE ARE OTHER CELEBRITIES WHO ARE PROUD ALUMNI OF DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY: